PADRES: Bell likely to accept arbitration if offered

SAN DIEGO ---- Heath Bell will be with the Padres for at least
52 more games. How long he remains the Padres' closer after that
was a hot topic at Petco Park on Monday.

One day after the Padres let the nonwaiver trade deadline pass
without trading their coveted closer, Bell said prior to a 6-2 loss
to the Los Angeles Dodgers that he would strongly consider
accepting arbitration to return to the Padres in 2012.

General manager Jed Hoyer said Sunday that one reason the Padres
didn't trade Bell was "draft pick protection" ---- the team would
receive two draft picks if it offered Bell arbitration and he
rejected the offer to become a free agent at the end of the
year.

Bell, however, could foil that plan by accepting arbitration,
guaranteeing his return to the Padres.

On Sunday, Bell said he wants a three-year extension to return
and reiterated that he would accept a contract that was below
market value to stay with the Padres. But the Padres are leery of
giving Bell three guaranteed years because he would be 37 when the
deal expires. Co-owner Jeff Moorad told XX Sports Radio 1090 on
Monday that the team wants to keep Bell, but only on a two-year
deal.

If the sides can't agree upon a contract and head to
arbitration, Bell ---- who has converted 119 of 130 saves since
2009 ---- would likely command a salary in excess of $10
million.

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is earning $15 million
this season. Boston's Jonathan Papelbon commands a $12 million
salary, while Philadelphia's Brad Lidge and Milwaukee's Francisco
Rodridguez each earn $11.5 million. Minnesota's Joe Nathan is
drawing an $11.25 million salary.

If Bell lands a similar salary, he would likely occupy roughly
20 percent of the team's payroll. The Padres began the 2011 season
with a $43 million payroll, though Moorad said earlier this season
that figure could rise to $50-53 million next season, when a new
television deal is expected to bring in an additional $7
milllion-$10 million.

"In some ways (that) is even preferable from our point of view,"
Moorad said. "We certainly don't mind going to year-to-year, though
we are willing to guarantee a couple of years with him."

Hoyer said the Padres didn't trade Bell because they felt the
compensation they were offered wasn't as significant as the two
draft picks they would receive if he left via free agency.

Hoyer, who also has expressed interest in retaining Bell beyond
2011, said he has had recent dialogue with Bell and his agents ----
Sam and Seth Levinson ---- and told 1090 that he expects to meet
with the pair during next week's series in New York. Hoyer has said
he's not in favor of negotiating during the season.

Bell, however, said he wouldn't be distracted by any in-season
talks and pointed to his ability to perform amid trade rumors.

"I think I showed I can focus (on baseball) with a bunch of
things going on," Bell said. "If they want to talk about it, talk
to my guys. I'm going to do baseball. The business part of it I'm
not going to worry about ---- that's why I have an agent."